Phoebis caterpillars? - Phoebis agarithe

host plant

could you please tell me what plant these are eating as we see the adults and want to grow the host plant! thanks so very much!

… Robert Gorman, 13 August, 2016 - 5:43pm

what plant these are eating..

Pithecellobium guatemalensis and P. dulce.

Cheers.

… South Texas Guy, 13 August, 2016 - 9:56pm

species of pant

thanks so much we will plant some as the large orange sulphur are in our yard on nectar flowers.

… Robert Gorman, 13 August, 2016 - 10:09pm

Plus

If you're not up to growing a mid-sized tropical tree such as Pithecellobium these also use the weed, Senna occidentalis much easier and faster to grow!

… South Texas Guy, 29 April, 2018 - 7:59am

Should have said so in the first place - :0)

That pupa got me checking the internet more thoroughly, and it turns out I forgot about one species, and it does have smoother larvae. So, I'm glad to eat my words here. These are Phoebis agarithe. Sometimes there is more pattern, but they are smoother than I rememebered in this one species, and I guess I didn't double check this particular one. I should have made the connection based on your previous posting of the pupa right off. After-all, that one was a challenge at first, and I remember it well.

Some similar examples here and here.

Moved from ID Request.

… David J. Ferguson, 17 December, 2012 - 4:25pm

Thank you.

Thanks for your time and help. I'm a reptile guy, mostly.. but all nature fascinates me. This resource (Bug Guide) is terrific. I think Mike Quinn turned me on to this? Cheers.

… South Texas Guy, 26 October, 2013 - 2:26pm

I suspect these are moth caterpillars of some sort,

and not butterflies (which doesn't narrow it down too much). They do look a lot like Phoebis, but Sulphur caterpillars usually have rows of little bumps or projections, and usually (? always) in Phoebis there are at least some tiny dark markings. Based on your photos, these look way too smooth to me.

You could try raising them to adults, and find out for sure what they are. At 30 mm, I suspect they are pretty nearly mature. If I am wrong, and if they are Phoebis or something closely related, you shouldn't have to wait too long to find out.

… David J. Ferguson, 14 December, 2012 - 9:50am

Not Phoebis?

I stick by my earlier guess.. These have a way of disappearing! just when you think they will pupate.. yet in the past when these are present I next see these.

Looks like Phoebis to me.

Thanks however it turns out.

… South Texas Guy, 17 December, 2012 - 4:10pm

large orange sulphur

Could you Please tell me what the host plant that these were eating is, Thanks we have the adults in our yard and want to grow the host plant! Thanks so very much!

… Robert Gorman, 13 August, 2016 - 5:42pm

And..

If you're not up to growing a mid-sized tropical tree such as Pithecellobium these also use the weed, Senna occidentalis much easier and faster to grow!

… South Texas Guy, 29 April, 2018 - 7:59am